Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-10-21

The above figures show the number of
students enrolled the present year in the
academies and seminaries to be over 300
"A larger number than in any previous year
in the same institutions. The number of
graduates in ~ was 240, which is more
than in any year during the last decade
The total amount of endowment funds pos
sessed by these institutions apprOXimates
$500, 900. There are about 800 students
from other states attending Vermont acad-
emies. The classes of 'SS include at the
present time more than 200 students
The town system Of schools prevails in
the following 30 towns; Burlington, Bol-
ton, Brighton Brunswick, Canaan, Dover,
Eden, Goshen, Grand Isle. Hinesburg, Hub
bardton, Mount Tabor, Newark, Norton.
Richmond, Randolph, Rockingham, Rut-
land, Springfield, South Hero, Sunderland,
Somerset, Stamford, Starksboro, Sheffield,
Waitsield, Warren, Westminster, Wood
ford, Wardsboro.
There are three normal schools in the
state-at Randolph, johnson and Castleton.
These schools were established in lS61-S,
and they have become wellrecognized
and highly appreciated part of the school
system of the state The three normal
schools receive annually state aid of about
5000. The average number of students
enrolled in these institutions each year is
upward of 800. The graduates of the past
year numbered l0l. Since 1867 the num-
ber of graduates has been 1900. OF the
1900 teachers in the public schools this
year, 5S1 are normal school graduates.
These schools have been the means Of great
" advancing the standard of educational
excellence among teachers, and they de
serve liberal support from the state.
The 81 graded schools and academies of
the state have an annual average enroll
ment of Il, 900 scholars. The number of
graduates from these higher institutions of
learning in 1887 was nearly 400
school sIntiHIios.
The average annual enrolment of chill
dren in the public schools during the last
daily attendance A. ,S62. These figures
show that not more than 70 per cent of the
children Of school age are enrolled in the
public schools, and that only about 50 per
cent of those enrolled are constantly in
school. In New Hampshire the average
attendance last year was II 9-l0 per cent
of those enrolled, in Maine it was S3 per
cent, and in Massachusetts, it was 90 per
cent.
The figures of the annual enrolment of
children of school age in the public schools
and the average daily attendance of schol-
ars show a lamentable condition of educa-
tionnl affairs in the district schools Of the
state The once hourishing country schools
| have given place in many towns to poor,
weak schools. There is a law ON the stat
ute books for the compulsory attendance OF
children at the public schools, but it is prac-
tically dead letter. Public sentiment does
not demand the enforcement of the law.
- =. . e
pruvement of the district schools lies in
stimulating public interest in educational
matters.
The number of teachers in the public
schools of the state today is 4l99. The to-
tai amount of wages paid them in 1886 was
SiG2, ,354, the average wages per week paid
TO female teachers being $5.22 and TO male
teachers $S 40. These are starvation wag-
es, and average lower than in any other
/ Northern state. 1t is universally conceded
that the public school teachers of today are
as a class better educated and more thor
oughly equipped for service than at any
previous period, and they should be better
paid.
Gifts 10 Educational Institutions.
The gifts to the cause of education since
1876 have been more numerous and repre-
sent larger amount than those made dur
ing any previous decade in the history oi
the state, These gifts aggregate nearly
81 900, 600, and include endowment funds
raised for the various academies, the Hunt
ington fund for public school purposes), ant
the cost of new buildings for academies ant
colleges They may be classified as follows
The Huntington fund S206, 20
Gifts 10 the University Of Vermont .....,. 325,O
! Endowments 10 various academies ...,.., 5000
Donations for new buildings. ............... 1000